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England will be without wing Elliot Daly and back row Nathan Hughes for at least half of the Six Nations, after a specialist confirmed the Wasps duo are out for between eight and 12 weeks.

Both Daly, 25, and Hughes, 26, picked up injuries in Wasps' European Champions Cup win against La Rochelle.

The sprained ankle Daly picked up could rule him out for 10 to 12 weeks.

Hughes' damaged knee ligaments are expected to sideline him for eight to 10 weeks.

Kiwi fly-half Jimmy Gopperth is also out for 10 to 12 weeks of the season through a knee injury he suffered in the same game.

Defending champions England begin the Six Nations against Italy on 4 February, in just over six weeks, and finish their five games in the tournament on 17 March at home to Ireland.

Hughes could be fit again for the fixture against Scotland on 24 February, while France on 10 March is Daly's most likely point of return.

Jones has a number of injury doubts going into the tournament, with Saracens lock Maro Itoje and Worcester centre Ben Te'o among the major names potentially unavailable.

Daly has scored six tries in 19 England Tests since making his debut against Ireland in the 2016 Six Nations, and was part of the British & Irish Lions 2017 touring party.

Hughes missed the last Autumn Test against Samoa through injury with a different knee problem and has 12 Test caps.